During the 2025 season, who will call defensive plays for Texas A&M?

Who Will Call Defensive Plays for Texas A&M in the 2025 Season?

The 2025 college football season is poised to be a pivotal year for Texas A&M football. With expectations growing and competition intensifying within the rugged SEC, the Aggies must elevate their game if they want to remain relevant on the national stage. One of the most crucial areas in which the Aggies need to improve is their defense. For Texas A&M, one of the key decisions for the upcoming season involves the leadership of the defense—specifically, who will call defensive plays and lead the charge for a unit that has seen mixed results in recent seasons.

As the Aggies prepare for a new chapter under head coach Jimbo Fisher, and with the addition of new faces on the coaching staff, the defensive play-calling duties are in the spotlight. There are multiple potential candidates to take on this responsibility, and the decision could shape the direction of the program for years to come. Will the Aggies continue to rely on the familiar faces already on the staff, or will they opt for a fresh perspective from an outside hire?

In this article, we’ll break down the various contenders for the defensive play-calling role at Texas A&M in 2025, examine their qualifications, coaching philosophies, and what they bring to the table. We’ll also look at the broader context of the Aggies’ defense in recent years and what this decision will mean for the team’s prospects moving forward.

The Need for Defensive Improvement at Texas A&M

Before diving into the specifics of who might call defensive plays for Texas A&M, it’s important to understand why this decision is so significant. Over the last several seasons, Texas A&M’s defense has shown flashes of brilliance but has also struggled with consistency at times. The Aggies have been able to recruit high-level talent, but they have had difficulty putting it all together on the field, especially in big games against SEC competition.

In 2024, Texas A&M’s defense was far from terrible, but it wasn’t among the elite defenses in college football either. The Aggies finished middle-of-the-pack in several key defensive categories, including total defense, pass defense, and rushing defense. While they had moments of dominance, such as in games against lesser opponents, they often faltered against top-tier teams, allowing significant yardage and failing to get key stops when it mattered most.

Jimbo Fisher, who serves as the head coach, has emphasized the importance of a stout defense in order to compete for SEC and national titles. He knows that success in the conference often hinges on a defense that can stand its ground, make stops in critical situations, and create turnovers. However, Fisher’s expertise lies more in offense, which leaves him in need of a trusted assistant who can take the reins of the defense and steer it toward the level of excellence required for sustained success in the SEC.

This is where the decision on who will call defensive plays comes into play—Texas A&M needs a leader on that side of the ball who can get the most out of the talent at their disposal, implement a dynamic and aggressive defensive scheme, and deliver results.

Key Candidates for Defensive Play-Caller at Texas A&M

With the stakes so high, the Aggies have a few options to consider when it comes to appointing the right person to call defensive plays. Below are some of the likely candidates who could take on this important role in 2025:

1. D.J. Durkin (Defensive Coordinator)

One of the top candidates for the defensive play-calling job is D.J. Durkin, who currently serves as Texas A&M’s defensive coordinator. Durkin has extensive experience in the SEC and has coached at some of the biggest programs in college football. His career includes stints at Michigan, Florida, and Ole Miss, where he was known for building strong defensive units.

Durkin joined Texas A&M in 2023 and has spent time getting acclimated to the Aggies’ system. While he didn’t call defensive plays in his first year at Texas A&M, he was involved in the defensive game plans and provided significant input. In 2024, Durkin had a strong opportunity to implement his vision for the defense, and he may be in a better position to take on the play-calling responsibilities in 2025.

Durkin is known for coaching aggressive, disciplined defenses. At Ole Miss, his defenses were effective at creating turnovers and pressuring the quarterback. He runs a 4-3 defense but is known for being adaptable and willing to adjust his scheme based on the strengths and weaknesses of his players. Durkin’s defensive philosophy could work well at Texas A&M, as it would complement the team’s talent in the front seven and help make the most of the Aggies’ highly recruited defensive line.

If Durkin is entrusted with the role of defensive play-caller in 2025, the Aggies could see improvements in both run defense and pass rush. His aggressive, attacking style could bring the edge that Texas A&M’s defense has lacked at times.

2. Mike Elko (Former Defensive Coordinator)

Mike Elko was the defensive coordinator at Texas A&M from 2018 to 2021, and during his tenure, the Aggies’ defense improved significantly. Under Elko, the Aggies ranked highly in key defensive metrics, including total defense, scoring defense, and turnover margin. Elko is known for his disciplined, 3-4 defensive schemes and his ability to develop talent, particularly in the secondary.

In 2022, Elko left Texas A&M to become the head coach at Duke, where he has quickly turned the program into a competitive force in the ACC. Despite his departure, many Texas A&M fans and analysts still view Elko as one of the best defensive minds to have ever coached at the school, and he remains highly respected in the coaching community.

Although Elko is no longer at Texas A&M, his name has surfaced in rumors regarding the defensive play-calling job. His previous success with the Aggies, combined with his current standing as a successful head coach at Duke, has led to speculation that Elko could return to College Station in some capacity, possibly as a special consultant or even as a part of a future coaching staff.

While the return of Elko to Texas A&M seems unlikely for the 2025 season due to his head coaching role at Duke, there remains a sense of nostalgia and admiration for his contributions to the Aggies’ defensive success. Whether he re-enters the fold at some point or not, his success at Texas A&M is a clear reminder of the importance of having a strong defensive identity.

3. New Addition to the Staff (Potential Hire from Outside)

In addition to Durkin, it is possible that Texas A&M could bring in a new face to handle defensive play-calling duties. Jimbo Fisher has shown a willingness to make changes and bring in new blood to invigorate the program, so it would not be out of the question for the Aggies to pursue a highly respected defensive mind from another program or professional ranks to oversee the defense in 2025.

Texas A&M may look for a coach who is known for being highly innovative, especially one with a track record of developing elite defenses in a similar conference environment. The SEC is a hotbed of elite defensive talent, so having a coach with experience in high-stakes, high-pressure defensive situations is a necessity for Texas A&M. A new hire might also come from one of the top defensive programs in the country or a well-known coordinator who is currently in the NFL ranks.

A new hire would come with the challenge of quickly adapting to the Aggies’ personnel and implementing a new system, but the right coach could bring the defensive boost Texas A&M needs.

Impact on Texas A&M’s Defense in 2025

Whoever is chosen to call the defensive plays will have an immediate and long-term impact on the Aggies’ defensive success in 2025. There are several areas where defensive improvement is crucial, and the right play-caller could unlock Texas A&M’s potential in key areas.

Pass Rush and Quarterback Pressure

One of the biggest needs for Texas A&M’s defense has been getting consistent pressure on the quarterback. While the Aggies have a talented defensive front, they have at times struggled to sack opposing quarterbacks and disrupt their rhythm. A play-caller who emphasizes blitzes, stunts, and aggressive pass-rush schemes could help Texas A&M become a more dangerous team in this regard.

Stopping the Run

Another key area for improvement is Texas A&M’s ability to stop the run. SEC teams often establish the run early and dictate the pace of the game. By focusing on run defense and implementing schemes that encourage tackling in the backfield, the Aggies could gain an edge over some of the conference’s more physical teams.

Turnovers and Takeaways

Defensive play-calling isn’t just about stopping the offense—it’s also about creating turnovers. Texas A&M’s defense must become more opportunistic in 2025, with a focus on generating turnovers in critical moments. A play-caller with a penchant for aggressive coverage schemes and ball-hawking tactics could make all the difference in the Aggies’ success.